Siege of Nicosia (1128)

The Siege of Nicosia was a military conflict fought in 1128 between the Republic of Venice and the Byzantine Empire during the Byzantine-Venetian War.

Background
Nicosia was a Byzantine possession since the Roman Empire took it over from the Greek Cities, and was interrupted by a brief period of Castilian occupation in the early 12th century, ending with the death of Alfonso VI of Castile. The Byzantines were once more in charge of the garrison, and since they were at war with the Republic of Venice, they made sure to put a unit in charge of the city under Captain Georgios. However, the Council of Nobles advised Doge Domenico Selvo to capture Nicosia, thus securing a vital Mediterranean trade center.

Siege
A fleet transported Domenico Selvo and a substantial Venetian army from Armenia to Cyprus, where he laid siege to the city of Nicosia. The Venetians encircled the city for two years and built ladders so that they could assault the city, and after doing so, their troops stormed over the ramparts and cut down all in their paths. Around a third of the Greeks died in the siege, and the city fell to the Venetians, who turned it into a major Mediterranean trading post.